Curriculum Matters
This blog covered news on the common core, literacy, math, STEM, social studies, the arts, and other curriculum and instruction topics. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: common core, reading & literacy, mathematics, STEM, social studies, and curriculum.
Assessment
N.M. Ruling Rejects Protest of Pearson's Common-Core Testing Contract
New Mexico's state purchasing agent, Lawrence O. Maxwell, has denied a protest of a major common-core testing contract that was filed by the American Institutes for Research.
Standards & Accountability
Weighing Common-Core Math Complaints
Do typical arguments for why the common-core math standards are supposedly problematic really make sense?
Science
Students Design STEM-Focused Apps to Tackle Community Problems
This week, Verizon announced the winners of its "Innovative App Challenge," a contest in which teams of middle and high school students design concepts for STEM-focused mobile apps to help people in their communities.
Standards & Accountability
Conn. Governor Pledges $15 Million to Support Common-Core Implementation
Gov. Malloy, a Democrat, has pledged $15 million to ease the implementation of the common-core standards. The money will go towards new school technology and professional development, among other uses.
School & District Management
Study: Struggling Math Students Need Direct Instruction, Not 'Fun' Activities
Music, movement, and manipulatives, while fun, may hinder 1st graders struggling in math, study suggests.
Assessment
Draft Criteria for Federal Reviews of State Assessments Expected This Summer
A U.S. Education Department official overseeing the process tells state assessment officials to expect the initial draft this summer, and the final in the winter, after more input and public comment.
Standards & Accountability
Wyoming STEM Professors Defend Common Science Standards
Last week, nearly 50 science and math educators from the University of Wyoming wrote a position paper directed to the board of education, which blocked adoption of the common science standards, detailing why they believe critics of the Next Generation Science Standards are wrong.
Science
Google Puts $50 Million Toward Getting Girls Into Coding
Google's gift is part of an initiative aimed at closing the gender gap in computer coding.
Assessment
Tennessee Quits PARCC, Leaving 15 Members
Tennessee points to a new law that rules out the use of PARCC exams in 2014-15.
Assessment
Contract Dispute Could Delay Common-Core Testing, Pearson Says
The testing giant defends its won of a big PARCC contract, saying the protest by competitor American Institutes for Research has no merit.
College & Workforce Readiness
Thousands of Young Historians Convene for National Competition
At the annual National History Day competition going on at the University of Maryland this week, 3,000 middle and high school students showcased original historical research, presenting and defending their exhibits, papers, performances, websites, and documentaries for panels of judges.
Science
White House Hosts Its First Maker Faire
Today the White House is hosting its first Maker Faire to showcase the efforts of children and adults who build, invent, tinker, engineer, craft, and create.
Standards & Accountability
Poll: Nearly Half of American Adults Haven't Heard of Common-Core Standards
Only 53 percent of Americans have heard of the Common Core State Standards, and only two in 10 have heard a lot about them.
Standards & Accountability
Wyoming Churches Endorse the Common Science Standards
A group of churches in Wyoming released a statement saying it endorses the Next Generation Science Standards, including the stance that evolution should be taught as scientific fact.